The West Jersey and Seashore Railroad (WJ&S) was a Pennsylvania Railroad subsidiary in the U.S. state of New Jersey with a connection to Philadelphia . It was formed through the merger of several smaller roads in May 1896. At the end of 1925 it operated 379 miles (610 km) of road on 717 miles (1,154 km) of track; that year it reported 166 million ton-miles of revenue freight and 332 million passenger-miles. The railroad became part of Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines in 1933.
40-846: On May 4, 1896, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) consolidated all its railroads and several smaller properties in southern New Jersey into the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad (WJ&S). This included the West Jersey Railroad, the Alloway and Quinton Railroad, the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, the Chelsea Branch Railroad , and the Philadelphia, Marlton and Medford Railroad. The consolidation
80-592: A massive forest fire, that is estimated to have caused more than $ 200,000 (equivalent to $ 6,314,483 in 2023) in damages, in May 1880 with the goal of preventing the fire from reaching Atlantic City. After some financial dealings in 1882 that may have involved bribery of a C&A clerk to obtain a list of stockholders, the PRR gained control of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad through its subsidiary West Jersey Railroad on January 1, 1883. The main line built and operated by
120-490: A massive forest fire, that is estimated to have caused more than $ 200,000 (equivalent to $ 6,314,483 in 2023) in damages, in May 1880 with the goal of preventing the fire from reaching Atlantic City. After some financial dealings in 1882 that may have involved bribery of a C&A clerk to obtain a list of stockholders, the PRR gained control of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad through its subsidiary West Jersey Railroad on January 1, 1883. The main line built and operated by
160-461: A meeting held on March 21, it was agreed that there was not enough time given for proxy votes to arrive from stockholders who were not local to New Jersey; the deadline for proxies was then extended to April 6, 1896. Representatives of each of the constituent lines met on May 2, 1896, and all agreed to the merger, to become effective as soon as paperwork could be filed in Trenton . The WJ&S, as
200-585: A portion of the line from Egg Harbor Township to Mays Landing was converted to a rail trail as part of the Atlantic County Bikeway . This railroad was chartered on January 7, 1880, and incorporated in January 1880, and construction began in April 1880. Trains began operating from Haddonfield to Marlton by July 1881, and began service to Medford on October 11, 1881. In January 1885 it
240-516: A subsidiary of the PRR, had two lines coming from its Federal Street Terminal in Camden : On October 28, 1906, an accident in Atlantic City killed 53 people when a three-car train plunged off an open swing bridge. This railroad was granted its charter by the state of New Jersey on March 19, 1852. The line was built from Camden to Atlantic City via Berlin . In late June 1854, it
280-416: A subsidiary of the PRR, had two lines coming from its Federal Street Terminal in Camden : On October 28, 1906, an accident in Atlantic City killed 53 people when a three-car train plunged off an open swing bridge. This railroad was granted its charter by the state of New Jersey on March 19, 1852. The line was built from Camden to Atlantic City via Berlin . In late June 1854, it was completed sans
320-626: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Cape May %26 Millville Railroad The West Jersey and Seashore Railroad (WJ&S) was a Pennsylvania Railroad subsidiary in the U.S. state of New Jersey with a connection to Philadelphia . It was formed through the merger of several smaller roads in May 1896. At the end of 1925 it operated 379 miles (610 km) of road on 717 miles (1,154 km) of track; that year it reported 166 million ton-miles of revenue freight and 332 million passenger-miles. The railroad became part of Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines in 1933. On May 4, 1896,
360-590: Is slated to become the light-rail Glassboro–Camden Line . The 22-mile long (35 km) Millville and Glassboro Railroad (M&G) was built by a group of Millville businessmen independently of the West Jersey Railroad. Chartered on March 9, 1859, and incorporated in March 1859, the M&;G was completed and opened in October 1860. The M&G started to build a line from Millville to Cape May, but funds dried up and
400-424: Is slated to become the light-rail Glassboro–Camden Line . The 22-mile long (35 km) Millville and Glassboro Railroad (M&G) was built by a group of Millville businessmen independently of the West Jersey Railroad. Chartered on March 9, 1859, and incorporated in March 1859, the M&G was completed and opened in October 1860. The M&G started to build a line from Millville to Cape May, but funds dried up and
440-528: The Camden and Woodbury Railroad was opened on April 15, 1857; then the extension to Glassboro opened on April 1, 1861, and to Bridgeton on July 25, 1861. The line was completed in 1863. In that year the WJ directors decided to build a line to Bridgeton, New Jersey, and later build the line from Glassboro to Millville and Cape May . The right of way is now South Jersey/Philadelphia Shared Assets Operations Vineland Secondary freight rail line . The northern section
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#1732798100219480-479: The Camden and Woodbury Railroad was opened on April 15, 1857; then the extension to Glassboro opened on April 1, 1861, and to Bridgeton on July 25, 1861. The line was completed in 1863. In that year the WJ directors decided to build a line to Bridgeton, New Jersey, and later build the line from Glassboro to Millville and Cape May . The right of way is now South Jersey/Philadelphia Shared Assets Operations Vineland Secondary freight rail line . The northern section
520-788: The Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (PRSL). Duplicative lines were abandoned as part of the consolidation. The PRR had a two-thirds ownership, and the RDG maintained one-third ownership. On July 15, 1933, the Atlantic City Railroad (a subsidy of the RDG) leased the WJ&;S railroad and joined the PRSL. Chelsea Branch Railroad (New Jersey) The Chelsea Branch Railroad was a railroad company in
560-625: The U.S. state of New Jersey . In May 1896, it was merged with several other railroads to form the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad , part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system in Atlantic City, New Jersey . The Chelsea Branch Railroad was chartered to build a line from Maine Avenue in Atlantic City to Chelsea . The company's stock was subscribed in 1889. The full line was 1.136 miles (1.828 km) long, and it
600-406: The 9.76-mile (15.71 km) long line stretched from Manumuskin to Maurice River. It was completed on November 1, 1887. The company was very soon merged into the WJ on January 1, 1888. In 1879, the PRR directed the WJ to build a line from Newfield to Atlantic City via Mays Landing, New Jersey . After surveys were completed, it was incorporated on November 6, 1879, with construction starting
640-401: The 9.76-mile (15.71 km) long line stretched from Manumuskin to Maurice River. It was completed on November 1, 1887. The company was very soon merged into the WJ on January 1, 1888. In 1879, the PRR directed the WJ to build a line from Newfield to Atlantic City via Mays Landing, New Jersey . After surveys were completed, it was incorporated on November 6, 1879, with construction starting
680-514: The C&;A remains in use in the 21st century for passenger service by PATCO and NJ Transit 's Atlantic City Line . The West Jersey Railroad (WJ) opened its books on March 29, 1853, subscribing $ 250,000 in capital. It was granted its charter by the state of New Jersey on February 5, 1853, to build a line from Camden , New Jersey to Cape May , New Jersey . An additional stock subscription of 1,000 shares by one director amounting to $ 200,000
720-459: The C&A remains in use in the 21st century for passenger service by PATCO and NJ Transit 's Atlantic City Line . The West Jersey Railroad (WJ) opened its books on March 29, 1853, subscribing $ 250,000 in capital. It was granted its charter by the state of New Jersey on February 5, 1853, to build a line from Camden , New Jersey to Cape May , New Jersey . An additional stock subscription of 1,000 shares by one director amounting to $ 200,000
760-531: The Camden and Atlantic, and later as the Medford Branch of the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad. The last passenger train ran on September 24, 1927. The Medford Branch was officially taken out of service on November 2, 1931. The PM&M had stops at Haddonfield, Freeman, Orchard, Springdale, Locust Grove, Cropwell, Marlton, Elmwood Road, Melrose, and Medford. All except Haddonfield, Marlton, and Medford were flag stops . The Delaware River Railroad (DRR)
800-441: The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) consolidated all its railroads and several smaller properties in southern New Jersey into the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad (WJ&S). This included the West Jersey Railroad, the Alloway and Quinton Railroad, the Camden and Atlantic Railroad, the Chelsea Branch Railroad , and the Philadelphia, Marlton and Medford Railroad. The consolidation was originally scheduled to occur in March 1896. But at
840-650: The WJ built a line from the end of the Swedesboro Railroad to Riddleton Junction on the Salem Railroad upon request of agricultural interests in Woodstown. Construction was in February 1883. This effectively gave the WJ two different routes into Salem. The Maurice River Railroad was built by the WJ to obtain a share of the lucrative Delaware Bay oyster business. Incorporated on June 17, 1887,
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#1732798100219880-404: The WJ built a line from the end of the Swedesboro Railroad to Riddleton Junction on the Salem Railroad upon request of agricultural interests in Woodstown. Construction was in February 1883. This effectively gave the WJ two different routes into Salem. The Maurice River Railroad was built by the WJ to obtain a share of the lucrative Delaware Bay oyster business. Incorporated on June 17, 1887,
920-434: The drawbridge over the thoroughfare outside of Atlantic City; regular passenger service started on July 4, with more than 3,000 people carried on the first day. The line proved so popular that the rival 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) gauge Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railway , which was chartered in 1876, paralleled its mainline between Camden and Atlantic City. The railroad sent gangs of men to help fight
960-403: The line from Egg Harbor Township to Mays Landing was converted to a rail trail as part of the Atlantic County Bikeway . This railroad was chartered on January 7, 1880, and incorporated in January 1880, and construction began in April 1880. Trains began operating from Haddonfield to Marlton by July 1881, and began service to Medford on October 11, 1881. In January 1885 it was operated by
1000-460: The line was not completed. It was merged into the West Jersey railroad on April 1, 1868. In 1863, a group of Cape May County investors was granted a charter by the state of New Jersey on March 9, 1863, to build the Cape May & Millville Railroad (CM&M). The first trains ran on August 23, 1863. Construction was completed in 1867, with the full line extending 41 miles (66 km). It
1040-399: The line was not completed. It was merged into the West Jersey railroad on April 1, 1868. In 1863, a group of Cape May County investors was granted a charter by the state of New Jersey on March 9, 1863, to build the Cape May & Millville Railroad (CM&M). The first trains ran on August 23, 1863. Construction was completed in 1867, with the full line extending 41 miles (66 km). It
1080-403: The same month. Capital stock was valued at $ 500,000 (equivalent to $ 16,350,000 in 2023) at $ 50 per share. The 34.2-mile long (55.0 km) line was completed on June 16, 1880. This railroad was ultimately leased to the WJ. The line was abandoned from Newfield to Mays Landing on December 31, 1958. The segment from Mays Landing to McKee City followed on August 18, 1966. p. 275 In 2003,
1120-409: The same month. Capital stock was valued at $ 500,000 (equivalent to $ 16,350,000 in 2023) at $ 50 per share. The 34.2-mile long (55.0 km) line was completed on June 16, 1880. This railroad was ultimately leased to the WJ. The line was abandoned from Newfield to Mays Landing on December 31, 1958. The segment from Mays Landing to McKee City followed on August 18, 1966. p. 275 In 2003, a portion of
1160-468: Was built from Woodbury to Swedesboro 10.8 miles (17.4 km) by the WJ. Construction started in 1867, was leased to the WJ on August 17, 1869, opened on September 11, 1869, and was completed in October 1869. It was fully merged into the WJ on January 1, 1888. The Woodstown and Swedesboro Railroad was chartered on March 21, 1871, opened on February 23, 1873, leased to the WJ on January 1, 1883, and fully merged on January 1, 1888. On January 21, 1882,
1200-463: Was built from Woodbury to Swedesboro 10.8 miles (17.4 km) by the WJ. Construction started in 1867, was leased to the WJ on August 17, 1869, opened on September 11, 1869, and was completed in October 1869. It was fully merged into the WJ on January 1, 1888. The Woodstown and Swedesboro Railroad was chartered on March 21, 1871, opened on February 23, 1873, leased to the WJ on January 1, 1883, and fully merged on January 1, 1888. On January 21, 1882,
1240-456: Was completed sans the drawbridge over the thoroughfare outside of Atlantic City; regular passenger service started on July 4, with more than 3,000 people carried on the first day. The line proved so popular that the rival 3 ft 6 in ( 1,067 mm ) gauge Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railway , which was chartered in 1876, paralleled its mainline between Camden and Atlantic City. The railroad sent gangs of men to help fight
West Jersey and Seashore Railroad - Misplaced Pages Continue
1280-646: Was incorporated on February 20, 1873, as the Delaware Shore Railroad to build a line from Woodbury to Penns Grove . The line was opened in July 1876, but declared bankruptcy in January 1879 and reincorporated as the DRR. On April 30, 1900, the WJ&S acquired the DRR. Conrail's Penns Grove Secondary operates along the right of way. On November 2, 1932, the PRR and Reading Company (RDG) merged their southern New Jersey railroad lines into one company,
1320-468: Was incorporated on February 20, 1873, as the Delaware Shore Railroad to build a line from Woodbury to Penns Grove . The line was opened in July 1876, but declared bankruptcy in January 1879 and reincorporated as the DRR. On April 30, 1900, the WJ&S acquired the DRR. Conrail's Penns Grove Secondary operates along the right of way. On November 2, 1932, the PRR and Reading Company (RDG) merged their southern New Jersey railroad lines into one company,
1360-506: Was leased to the WJ in 1869; and fully merged into the WJ on August 27, 1879. The 17-mile long (27 km) Salem Railroad, chartered and incorporated on March 14, 1856, stretching from Elmer to Salem, New Jersey. Construction was completed in 1863, and the Salem Railroad was leased to the WJ on January 1, 1868. The line was fully merged into the WJ on January 1, 1888. The Swedesboro Railroad, chartered on February 23, 1866,
1400-433: Was leased to the WJ in 1869; and fully merged into the WJ on August 27, 1879. The 17-mile long (27 km) Salem Railroad, chartered and incorporated on March 14, 1856, stretching from Elmer to Salem, New Jersey. Construction was completed in 1863, and the Salem Railroad was leased to the WJ on January 1, 1868. The line was fully merged into the WJ on January 1, 1888. The Swedesboro Railroad, chartered on February 23, 1866,
1440-428: Was made at the company's meeting on May 17, bringing the total subscriptions to $ 450,000. Surveys of possible routes were made fairly quickly, and the directors of the company met on July 15, 1853, to select the route on which they would build. The line was then built in stages with the backing of the C&A from Camden to Glassboro. The first 8.2 miles (13.2 km) of the line using the abandoned right-of-way built by
1480-426: Was made at the company's meeting on May 17, bringing the total subscriptions to $ 450,000. Surveys of possible routes were made fairly quickly, and the directors of the company met on July 15, 1853, to select the route on which they would build. The line was then built in stages with the backing of the C&A from Camden to Glassboro. The first 8.2 miles (13.2 km) of the line using the abandoned right-of-way built by
1520-719: Was operated by the Camden and Atlantic Railroad . Representatives of the Chelsea Branch Railroad met with those of the West Jersey Railroad , the Alloway and Quinton Railroad , the Camden and Atlantic Railroad , and the Philadelphia, Marlton and Medford Railroad on May 2, 1896, to finalize the vote to merge as the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad . The merger became effective on May 4, 1896. This United States rail–related article
1560-484: Was operated by the Camden and Atlantic, and later as the Medford Branch of the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad. The last passenger train ran on September 24, 1927. The Medford Branch was officially taken out of service on November 2, 1931. The PM&M had stops at Haddonfield, Freeman, Orchard, Springdale, Locust Grove, Cropwell, Marlton, Elmwood Road, Melrose, and Medford. All except Haddonfield, Marlton, and Medford were flag stops . The Delaware River Railroad (DRR)
1600-461: Was originally scheduled to occur in March 1896. But at a meeting held on March 21, it was agreed that there was not enough time given for proxy votes to arrive from stockholders who were not local to New Jersey; the deadline for proxies was then extended to April 6, 1896. Representatives of each of the constituent lines met on May 2, 1896, and all agreed to the merger, to become effective as soon as paperwork could be filed in Trenton . The WJ&S, as
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